AGRIBUSINESS: Deer Disease Comes To Iowa

The first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is confirmed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The deer was reported as harvested in Allamakee County during the first shotgun season in December. Iowa DNR is working to find more information about infection to create a response plan.

DNR Director Chuck Gipp says they have been testing CWD for more than a decade and they caught this deer early. CWD is a neurological disease that affects deer and elk. An abnormal protein attacks the brains of infected animals causing weight loss and abnormal behavior.

There is no evidence that humans can contract CWD by eating deer meat. The DNR does suggest caution when dealing with the brain, eyeballs and spinal cord of game.

CWD is in all bordering states. Gipp says there was a possibility it would eventually find its way to Iowa.